Froome, Contador, Sagan, Evans, Hesjedal and Schleck to compete in the Québec City and Montréal Grands Prix Cyclistes

Chris Froome (Sky Procycling), winner of the 2013 Tour de France and the current UCI WorldTour points leader, will be one of the main attractions at this year's Québec City and Montréal Grands Prix Cyclistes, to be held on September 13 and 15.

For the first time, the races organized by Serge Arsenault and his team will feature the reigning champion of the world's greatest bike race. Great Britain's Froome will not be the only Tour de France title holder lining up for the start: Cadel Evans (2011), Alberto Contador (2007 and 2009) and Andy Schleck (2010) will all be getting their first taste of the Québec City and Montréal courses as well. The races will also feature Canada's Ryder Hesjedal, of Garmin Sharp, winner of the 2012 Giro d'Italia, more determined than ever to deliver a podium performance in front of the home crowd, after a season marred by bad luck.

The race peloton of 21 teams of 8 riders each (including the 19 ProTeams, the world's top squads) will feature some of the planet's greatest cycling stars, joining this quintet of history making riders.

They include Peter Sagan (Cannondale Pro Cycling), the Slovak who has twice claimed the Green Jersey in the Tour de France and is one of the winningest cyclists in the world this season, with 16 victories to his credit; Rui Costa (Movistar), who won in Montréal in 2011 and had two stage wins in this year's Tour de France; Christophe Riblon (AG2R La Mondiale), winner of the Alpe d'Huez summit stage in the Tour de France; Lars Petter Nordhaug and Robert Gesink (Belkin - Pro Cycling Team), Montréal GP champions in 2012 and 2010 respectively; Damiano Cunego (Lampre - Merida); Sylvain Chavanel (Omega Pharma-Quick Step); Tony Gallopin (RadioShack Leopard); Richie Porte (Sky Procycling) and many others.

There will also be a strong Canadian contingent, featuring Québecers David Veilleux (Europcar), Dominique Rollin (FDJ.fr), François Parisien (Argos - Shimano) and Hugo Houle (AG2R La Mondiale), all of whom compete at the élite level in Europe, as well as the Canadian National Team, invited by the organization as a wild - card entry. It includes Bruno Langlois, Best Climber in the Québec City GP last year, Zach Bell, the current Canadian road racing champion, and Antoine Duchesne, the Under - 23 Canadian champion.

Now entering their fourth editions, the Québec City and Montréal Grands Prix Cyclistes have truly established their pedigree on the international cycling circuit and are among the highest - level sports events held in Québec today. And to this day, still the only UCI WorldTour events held in the Americas.

“We're extremely honoured to be welcoming Chris Froome, Alberto Contador, Peter Sagan, Cadel Evans, Andy Schleck, Ryder Hesjedal and all the other top riders who have chosen to race in Canada this year,” enthuses Serge Arsenault, President of the Québec City and Montréal Grands Prix Cyclistes, adding: “We will spare no effort to deliver optimum conditions so that they can give the best of themselves. We are proud of the reputation of our races, which extends across the Atlantic, and thrilled to be hosting these great champions for what promises to be a great moment in sport.”

Challenge Sprint ProThis dream lineup provides all the ingredients to deliver competition of the highest level in both Québec City and Montréal, and it all gets underway on Thursday, September 12, with the Challenge Sprint Pro, the electrifying knockout race in which 24 sprint specialists-including Veilleux, Rollin, Houle and defending champ Bell-will vie for top honours.

This spectacular event, created by Serge Arsenault and the Québec City and Montréal Grands Prix Cyclistes, will also feature sprinters Matthew Goss (Orica GreenEDGE), Fabian Wegmann (Garmin Sharp), Geraint Thomas (Team Sky), Francisco Ventoso (Movistar) and Danilo Hondo (RadioShack Leopard), among others, all ready to do battle along Grande Allée in Québec City.

The Teams and Key Riders for teh Grands Prix Cyclistes

AG2R La Mondiale (FRA)Christophe Riblon (France), winner of the Alpe d'Huez stage in this year's Tour de France Romain Bardet (France), 15th in Tour de France, winner of the Tour de l'AinHugo Houle (Canada), 4th in the 2012 Under - 23 Championships

Movistar (ESP)Alberto Rui Costa (Portugal), winner of two stages in the 2013 Tour de France, the 2013 Tour de Suisse, and the 2011 Montréal GPAndrey Amador (Costa Rica), winner of Stage 14 in the 2012 Giro d'Italia

Omega Pharma - Quick - Step Cycling Team (BEL)Sylvain Chavanel (France), winner of the 2013 Three Days of De Panne Michal Kwiatkowski (Poland), 11th in the 2013 Tour de France Matteo Trentin (Italy), winner of Stage 14 in the Tour de France